Puze County was a remote area with a backward economy, constantly interacting with the elves. Life there was dull and monotonous.
For the inhabitants, the only thing that could pique their interest throughout the year was the arrival of the Ancestor Lord on the day of the Festival for the Gods.
On this day, even the poorest families would slaughter a pig or chicken for dinner.
Not only that, but the residence of the County Lord would also host a grand feast, where anyone who arrived in the city early could come and enjoy an incredibly sumptuous dinner.
The delicacies served at the County Lord's residence were unmatched by any ordinary pigs, sheep, chickens or cattle.
Soft butter bread, cream cakes, candies, and various plump river delicacies.
Thus, the people of Puze County often counted down the days until the Festival for the Gods, the only time aside from the New Year when they could indulge in good food.
Not to mention that whenever the Ancestor Lord visited, he would distribute fine cloth and food to them.
In the vampire race, no one disliked or disrespected the Ancestor Lord.
The ox cart rumbled over the stone path, quickly arriving at the gates of Puze County.
At this time, the County Lord was already dressed and standing at the entrance to welcome Xavier.
Seeing the ox cart slowly approaching, the County Lord looked pained:
"How could we have the Lord ride such a crude cart!"
Upon hearing this, Xavier's movement to dismount the cart paused slightly, before he calmly said, "It's been this ox cart every year."
This County Lord of Puze County always put on a pained look whenever he saw Xavier, lamenting that he had to ride such a crude ox cart.
It was the same every year, and Xavier was tired of hearing it.
The County Lord of Puze County laughed heartily, "Is that so? Well then... Eh?"
He looked up and saw three or four heads poking out from the ox cart.
They were young ones, probably around twelve or thirteen years old.
The girl at the front had the same black hair and red eyes as Xavier, immediately recognizable as his kin.
The County Lord of Puze County's eyes lit up, and he cautiously said:
"Lord, could this be..."
Xavier turned around and saw Chloe slowly climbing over the ox cart's railing, about to dismount.
Without a word, he pulled Chloe down from the ox cart, cradling her in his arms and ruffling her hair. Just as she was about to get angry, he set her down.
It was only then that he nodded slightly at the County Lord of Puze County, "Yes, she's my daughter."
After saying that, he fixed the County Lord with an indifferent gaze.
The County Lord of Puze County immediately understood Xavier's meaning, and promptly said:
"No wonder she is the Lord's child! Such a young age yet so adorable and clever, like a cute little snow person, truly carved from the same mold as the Lord!"
Chloe, who had just gotten off the ox cart with straw in her hair and a dirty face, looked at the County Lord with a complex expression. This old man must be a master at talking nonsense.
Daniel nimbly jumped off the ox cart, heard the remark, and rubbed his nose before saying in a low voice:
"You call her a cute little snow person? There's enough dirt on your face to scrape off three pounds."
Chloe: "..."
Patience has its limits.
She slowly raised her fist, but before it could land, Qin Huaibei had already punched Daniel in the back of the head from behind.
Accompanied by Daniel's wails, Qin Huaibei retracted his hand and said seriously:
"Don't worry, I've already hit him for you."
Chloe then nonchalantly put her hand down.
Xavier, who had been silently observing them: "..."
Is this how the young ones interact these days?
He remained silent for a moment, then turned his gaze away while taking Chloe's hand.
After walking for a while, Xavier deemed Chloe too short and once again lifted her up into his arms.
Chloe took the opportunity to put her arms around Xavier's neck, tauntingly looking down at her companions from her elevated position.
On this trip, there were only four of them, as Anderson couldn't leave the Francis Family. Apparently, the head of the Francis Family was organizing a banquet to publicly announce Anderson's identity to the nobles.
With so many matters on that side, plus Anderson's task of monitoring the Francis Family, he was unable to accompany them.
However, even with one less person in their group, it did not dampen Daniel and the others' spirits.
While Puze County was indeed desolate, it was different from the desolation of the Barren Planet.
Here, the economy was backward, but the people still lived actively, understood basic etiquette, and were even more well-behaved than elsewhere due to the presence of the vampire god in this place.
Upon seeing the arrival of the Ancestor Lord, they simply lined up along the road in an orderly manner, throwing harmless flowers like roses, carnations, and wildflowers onto Xavier.
The crowd was bustling.
"That's Lord Xavier, right? Who's the little girl he's carrying?"
"Who else could it be? It's the Young Lady!"
"Ah?! The Young Lady came to our place?"
"Why wouldn't she come? Lord Xavier dotes on the Young Lady so much, if the Young Lady wants to come play, it's just a matter of saying the word."
"That's true. Then who are those behind them?"
"I heard they're the Young Lady's friends."
"Friends? Oh, don't you remember the recent inter-academy tournament? The champion was apparently..."
The subjects of these discussions paid no heed to the chatter.
Chloe's gaze swept across the city's inhabitants, one by one.
Whoever made eye contact with her would eventually cover their face and look away, their cheeks flushed red.
Chloe found it amusing and intentionally stared at the pretty girls and handsome boys in the crowd.
Whenever Chloe looked their way, those young men and women would smile even wider.
By the time Xavier noticed, Chloe was already holding countless roses in her arms.
Xavier: "..."
He flicked Chloe's forehead in warning, "Don't flirt indiscriminately."
Chloe rubbed her forehead, unfazed by this.
"They're the ones who like me, it's not like I'm intentionally provoking them."
As she spoke, Chloe even blew a kiss toward a girl with braided pigtails in the distance.
Immediately, shrill screams erupted from that direction.
Xavier: "..."
Never mind, it wasn't the first time he was aware of Chloe's behavior.
Not just Chloe, but Qin Huaibei and the others also received their share of roses being thrown at them.
Especially Daniel.
With a slightly darker complexion, Daniel seemed fierce and tough-looking despite his young age, which earned him great affection from the older aunts and uncles in this remote and harsh border region.
His arms were full of the most roses.
Especially Daniel, completely unabashed, the more roses he carried, the brighter his smile beamed.
His joy was written all over his face, until eventually he scampered over and hugged a large aunt, letting her pinch his cheeks.
From birth, Daniel had never experienced so many people fond of him. He was overjoyed and dazed upon returning, hugging the roses while bragging to Qin Huaibei and Katherine.
The two exchanged glances, seeing a similar expression of helplessness in each other's eyes.
Apart from Chloe, the group's favorite was Daniel! The little wolf baby, let auntie give you a kiss!!!
